The president planned to announce that he is calling on the WIC program to check the immunization status of every child receiving services and assistance, and to refer children who are behind on their immunizations to a local doctor or public clinic.

CNN: Clinton to order immunization assessments

The WIC program, which covers 45 percent of infants across the country and more than 5 million children younger than 5, is "the single largest point of access to health services for low-income preschool children who are at the highest risk for low vaccination coverage, " according to the administration.

CNN: Clinton to order immunization assessments

In addition to cash income, the new measure includes the EITC, supplemental nutrition assistance (food stamps), other nutrition assistance (school lunch program and WIC), and housing and energy subsidies.

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And so, especially since the 1960's, several federal food assistance programs are now in place to provide a safety net for needy families including SNAP, National School Breakfast and Lunch, the Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and WIC.

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Yet we still debate the merits of the federally funded WIC (Womens, Infants and Children) program, school lunches and food assistance to needy families.

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There is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which targets assistance to pregnant women and mothers with small children.

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